Not yet operational, inter-provincial passenger buses in Nghe An continue to be parked.

Up to now, all inter-provincial passenger transport activities between Nghe An and all provinces and cities in the country have been temporarily suspended. Although previously,Nghe An Department of TransportA document has been sent to other units to solicit opinions on the reorganization of inter-provincial passenger activities; however, no locality has agreed to reopen passenger transport routes to and from Nghe An due to concerns that the epidemic situation is still complicated.

On September 29, 2021, Nghe An Department of Transport issued Document No. 3277/SGTVT-VT to the Departments of Transport of provinces and centrally run cities regarding the consultation on reorganizing inter-provincial passenger transport activities.

Because they are not yet allowed to operate again, inter-provincial buses are having to continue waiting at Bac Vinh Bus Station. Photo: Tien Dong

Accordingly, the People's Committee of Nghe An province has a policy to continue to temporarily suspend inter-provincial passenger transport activities from Nghe An to and from provinces and cities that are implementing social distancing according to Directive 15 and social isolation according toDirective No.16of the Government. At the same time, the Department of Transport is assigned to coordinate with the Department of Transport of provinces and cities to unify the plan to allow inter-provincial passenger transport activities to and from provinces and cities that have been declared epidemic-free or are applying Directive 19.

Nghe An Department of Transport has requested the Departments of Transport of provinces and cities to coordinate and give opinions on passenger transport operation plans. According to the opinion of Nghe An Department of Transport, for localities that are declared free of the epidemic, normal operations are allowed and must strictly comply with regulations on Covid-19 prevention and control.

For passenger transport activities between localities applying Directive 19, operations are allowed to resume.inter-provincial passenger transportBy car on fixed routes, contract cars, tourist cars, taxis, buses from Nghe An province to provinces and cities that have been announced to be epidemic-free or are applying Directive 19 of the Government and vice versa, with the condition that each unit is only allowed to operate no more than 50% of the number of vehicles; each trip is only allowed to transport no more than 50% of the designed number of seats and no more than 20 people including the driver and assistant driver.

Many inter-provincial bus routes have been parked at stations for 3-4 months now due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Photo: Tien Dong

Transport units are also required to develop plans, register the number and list of operating vehicles and send them to the Department of Transport at both ends of the route before putting the vehicles into operation, giving priority to drivers who have been vaccinated against Covid-19.

In addition, during transportation, drivers and attendants must limit stopping and parking, limit contact with others, drive the vehicle according to the correct transportation route, record the transportation itinerary, list of contacts... Must strictly and fully implement epidemic prevention and control measures throughout the transportation process.

Passenger vehicles passing through areas subject to Directive 15 and Directive 16 are absolutely not allowed to stop, park, pick up or drop off passengers, or rest or eat. In case of necessity to stop to refuel, they are not allowed to come into contact with people in the area and must ensure epidemic prevention and control measures.

Currently, only intra-provincial passenger transport in Nghe An is allowed to resume, however, due to concerns about the epidemic, the number of passengers is still not much. Photo: Tien Dong

Although the plan and options proposed by the Nghe An Department of Transport are quite complete and detailed. However, up to this point, no province or city has responded in agreement with the plan to reorganize inter-provincial passenger transport activities. Some northern mountainous provinces have even responded in writing that they have not agreed to reopen passenger transport routes to and from Nghe An because they are still concerned about the Covid-19 outbreak. Therefore, inter-provincial passenger transport vehicles and inter-provincial bus routes between Nghe An and Ha Tinh still have to wait at stations and yards.